The 1962-63 season would prove to be the ultimate year for ABC's Thursday evening resurrection of the Volsted Act ad National Prohibition. Like all series TV, it had run its course. Every bad guy from the 1920's-1930's had tangled with Ness and the boys. So, after having its Lion's share of ratings "THE UNTOUCHABLES" was calling it "a Wrap!" It was, and remains, a most memorable,with series varying little in quality and quite a bit in Historical Accuracy. But, it was truly a great ride while it lasted and did serve to make us younger folk aware of the 'Dry Era', its bad guys and the Great Depression.
But life must continue, the torch would always have to be passed on to new generations of series. The names, the faces and titles would be different, but all genres of series would continue.(Mostly) And in order to get a new series signed on by a Network, the usual process called for a "Pilot" episode to be produced, shopped around, and maybe sold to one of either CBS, NBC or ABC*, as these were the only 3 Networks out there then.
But, what if the "Pilot" was one episode from an already existing show? In that case, co$t$ would be reduced, the need for a weekly episode would be met, giving the "Pilot" a ready made audience.
So, not to be outdone, the "Suits" at DESILU came up with 2 Hour Long episodes with Miss Barbara Stanwyck appearing as the same character, one Lieutennant Agatha 'Aggie' Stewart, Commanding Officer of The Missing Persons Bureau, Detective Division, Chicago Police Department.
In the first of the two shows, "Elegy", she is introduced as a tireless worker, caring human being, Fair and tough Police Boss and long time acquaintance of Elliot Ness'. She runs a tight ship, but is still very familiar and personable to her men. She has some recurring characters in Virginia Capers as Office Secretarial Clerk and Ed Asner as Detective Frank (only name given).
In this outing, a Terminally Ill Gangster,Charley Raddick (John Larch)wants to file a Missing Persons Case on his estranged daughter,Margaret Radick alias Margaret Wilson (Peggy Ann Garner). As there is an on-going Federal Investigation for violation of the Volsted Act, Ness and the Lady Lieutennant cross paths once again.
There is as much or more screen time given over to the CPD Missing Persons Investigation than to the Federal Treasury Prohibition Agents Ness, Hobson, Youngfellow, Rossi and Rossman.
In the storyline, particular care is given to making her(Lt. Stewart)a very tough cookie, but still remaining lady-like always.
There is sort of laughable minor error is pulled, not that it made ant difference to the story. At one point to0 the investigation, Lt.'Aggie'asks Detective Frank how he would like to go to Evanston, Ilinois. Nodding his head, he states "It's a nice town!" They make it sound as if Evanston was some distance away, when it actually it borders our town due north of the Great City of 'Broad Shoulders".
It's a minor boo-boo, but it still deserves to be mentioned right here!